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I loved walking the Camino Aragones between Oloron and Artieda. I was the only pilgrim on the route for several days and the weather in early June was lovely. The signage is lacking in many areas and road walking is required. I was using an outdated guide for walking the GR 653 and found the lodging was non-existent in some towns, requiring 20+ km days of climbing some sketchy trails. I finally found myself without enough cash to continue after Artieda due to a lack of ATM's after having made a mistake of not making a withdrawal in Jaca and discovering the next machine was in Sanguesa two days away with only 20 euros on my pocket. I decide to take a bus to Pamplona to restart my camino from there with a jingle in my pocket.
There were no more than 10 people each night at the albergues after I left Canfranc Estacion and I suspect if you walk the Yesa side of the lake there will be even fewer. I have no idea if the traffic picks up during the summer months. I loved the solitude, it was "culture shock" when I arrived in Pamplona seeing pilgrims queued up to get beds. The lack of services between Jaca and Puenta la Reina means carrying extra water and snacks.Hi Biarritzdon,
I'm hoping to start the Camino Aragones around the 20th July, coming off the Piemont route. I have a 2013 Rother guide for the Aragones and some info I pulled off the Spanish website. I was hoping to do the route through Yesa on the opposite side of the lake. Do you think there will be more people on both routes at this time? This is my first long walk and I'll be solo. There is 2015 Topo guide available now for the Piemont Camino, I'll pick that up in the next few days. Would you walk the route again?
Thanks for the info. I shall keep the water snacks in mind. Looking forward to the walk.There were no more than 10 people each night at the albergues after I left Canfranc Estacion and I suspect if you walk the Yesa side of the lake there will be even fewer. I have no idea if the traffic picks up during the summer months. I loved the solitude, it was "culture shock" when I arrived in Pamplona seeing pilgrims queued up to get beds. The lack of services between Jaca and Puenta la Reina means carrying extra water and snacks.
I guess I should clarify my comment about the markings and road walking, I was referring to the days between Oloron and Canfranc Estacion.We had no problems with marking from Somport in 2013. Some others walked the road but we stayed with the Camino.
The markings are "okay" after Jaca, it's the GR 653 before Canfranc Estacion which is the problem. I met someone in Somport who walked on the road until the tunnel because he had lost the trail and had to wait for a bus to make the final 10km.
Hi Biarritzdon,
I'm hoping to start the Camino Aragones around the 20th July, coming off the Piemont route. I have a 2013 Rother guide for the Aragones and some info I pulled off the Spanish website. I was hoping to do the route through Yesa on the opposite side of the lake. Do you think there will be more people on both routes at this time? This is my first long walk and I'll be solo. There is 2015 Topo guide available now for the Piemont Camino, I'll pick that up in the next few days. Would you walk the route again?
I've walked the Aragones several times and never had a problem with waymarks - I wonder if they've been moved or painted over?
I walked Jaca to Sta. Celia to Artieda to Ruesta, etc.
There are albergues in comfortable stages.
I don't recall a lot of road walking, either.
I've never understood why someone would walk the other side???
When I did this stretch in 2009 ago along the north side of the Embalse de Yesa, I was the only person I saw walking it that day (21 September) aside from a shepherd who told me about a shortcut which saved me about 3km of roadwalking. Aside from a gasolinera about 12km west of Berdun, there was no water and no food to be had, so you should take extra. I do not know if the hot springs at km336 along the N240 is still operational or if it has been flooded, but it is a great place for a break. Perhaps someone who has done this route recently might give us an update?
It is almost entirely along the margin of the N240 (that'll knock a few days off purgatory for you) and, if it were not for the wonderful view of the lake and the hot springs, the south side would be a more agreeable walk. Yesa itself is very nice (the Benedictine monastery at Leyre to the north of the town will offer accommodation, but for a minimum of three days--- there s now a commercial hospederia there as well-- I stayed at the Hotel Arangoiti in the pueblo-- the albergue Sierra is just down the street, tel 622 669 169) and the left turn from Yesa along the NA-5410 passes by the Castle of Javier, where St Francis Xavier was born and raised. There is a restaurant there and a turismo, whose staff told me of a cross-country route to Sanguesa which saved me some more carretera walking.
I've walked the Aragones several times and never had a problem with waymarks - I wonder if they've been moved or painted over?
I walked Jaca to Sta. Celia to Artieda to Ruesta, etc.
There are albergues in comfortable stages.
I don't recall a lot of road walking, either.
I've never understood why someone would walk the other side???
Hi There Annie!
Have you walked the aragones during winter at all?
I want to walk the aragones starting around 22nd november and then joining the Frances in Puente la Reina and going up to Finisterra as usual.
Even having thorough experience in montaineering, snow and ice climbing, a lot of stamina and resilience, Im still a bit worried about the possibility of walking this route in winter.
I couldng find many resources or people who have done it during winter.
I Plan to get a train from Barcelona up to Cancfran, sleep there overnight and get a Taxi to Somport the next morning. Depending on the weather (I`ll drop by the tourist office in Canfranc and ask about it) I might even start from Canfranc itself the next morning. Is it still worth it to start from Canfranc?
Will I find places to sleep in the aragones at the end of march?
Could you please give me any inputs about it if you can?
THank you very much indeed!
Buen Camino & Ultreya
Vagner
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